The Trials Of Shazam! Volume 2


By Judd Winick, Howard Porter & Mauro Cascioli (DC Comics)
ISBN: 978-4012-1829-4

Completing the saga begun in volume 1 (ISBN: 978-4012-1331-2) this book reprints issues #7-12 of the DC miniseries and finds Freddy Freeman, once and future super-hero, now successfully blessed with the wisdom of Solomon and the invincibility of Achilles, but only half the strength of Hercules.

Tasked by the 21st century Gods of Magic to prove himself to each of them before winning their powers and patronage, his rite of passage and super-powers have been hijacked by the deadly teenaged psychopath Sabina De La Croix, who intends to steal the magic of the departed wizard Shazam for her coven of evil sorcerers.

Not only has she intercepted some of the might intended for the boy-hero, but she’s even killed one of the gods that should empower him. Freddy must now find a replacement patron simply to complete the trials…

And if that’s not trouble enough some of those remaining gods don’t want their new lives disrupted. They might kill him before Sabina does…

Great thrills and spills beautifully illustrated by Howard Porter (with Mauro Cascioli providing the art for the last three chapters) make this a terrific read for fans of the genre, but I’m still unhappy at the unnecessary division into two short volumes when one complete book would have been easier, cheaper and a more satisfying package.

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